Royalty Gone Bad

***

Writer’s POV:

Saïda started work that Monday. She was so happy with it. Her first day so far had been great. There were a lot of customers and she helped them as much as possible. Aryan and his wife, Rivka, as well as Samir, all helped Saïda adapt easily. But they didn’t need to show her or guide her too much because she already did very good on her own. This job was perfect for Saïda to occupy herself and make a little money, all the while.

Meanwhile...

~~

It was finally twelve and the waiters had their first break. Asahd sat in a corner, eating and manipulating his phone.

While he was doing so, he received a call from his father. He rolled his eyes and rejected the call. He was still giving them a hard time and was still unforgiving for what was happening to him now. He did same to Djafar. Though he answered the man when he asked him questions, things weren’t the same. Asahd no longer smiled or sat to have serious or funny conversations with him.

Asahd put his phone away and stood to go to the washroom and take a pee. He headed to the men’s washroom and on entering, he heard someone talking in one of the cabins. He recognised Alex’s voice.

Minding his business, he went to pee but still, it was almost impossible not to listen to Alex who turned out to be talking on phone.

“Why do you treat me like this?? Why?” Asahd heard Alex ask in an angry yet hurt tone.

“You don’t treat me well! I do everything to please you. I work my ass off like crazy between two jobs! On the weekends when I’m supposed to be resting, I still work! Just so I can have enough to pay your bills, buy my necessities and provide your meals! I do everything and yet you still treat me like shit! Is that fair?? I–” Alex stopped talking for a second or so.

“Hello? Hello?!”

Seemed the person had hung up. Asahd heard Alex cuss and hit the wall with his palm.

′I wonder what’s wrong.′

Asahd went to wash his hands in a sink and just then, Alex stepped out. Surprised to see Asahd, their eyes met in reflection of the mirrors there. Asahd turned immediately, slightly worried when he saw how red Alex’s eyes were. Like he was going to cry or something.

his eyes before coming to wash his

replied. He then turned to leave but halted on his way out. He was trying to mind his business but

Alex and help him if he could. That feeling surprised him. He usually cared for no one’s feelings, but his. If it’d been another colleague, he would’ve left. But the only colleagues he’d realised he was growing fond of, were Derrick and Alex. They’d always been the most friendly

-

Alex

kind of bothered,” Asahd started and Alex looked up at him. “What’s wrong? I’m here if you want to

he shut his eyes for a while, taking a deep

talking with on phone, is my father,” he finally said, running

with him? He’s left

Alex rubbed his eyes.

since I was a kid. The man is ungrateful. All he does is sit on the couch the whole day, watching TV and drinking beer. He’s drunk most

one who paid the home bills. He told Asahd how he had to remove all bulbs from the house, so the electricity bill would not rise. His father always asked him money to buy beer and only

car accident. He’d been raised by her and her alone because

was doing. And the one time the man had convinced Alex’s mother to

after highschool, I was given a fully funded scholarship for my skills in hockey. I have a room on campus and I’m provided with basic school necessities,” he explained with red eyes. “I work at the school kitchen on weekends, so I gain a little more. Plus, I wrap up the food leftovers after meals, drive all the way to my father’s house and give it to him. Yet he treats me

a huge lump in his throat

see your worth and change for your

him but I feel like I have to stick with

abusive. He doesn’t treat you right. He’s

Alex’s eyes were red.

of the fact that there are people out there with no father at all. I keep hoping

he does is hurt you and use you. You’re a great person and the type of caring and hardworking son,

not to cry. Asahd put a

think about something else.

wiping his

Asahd asked